In the spring I announced my intention of diving into the “Matter of Britain,” the cornucopia of material concerning King Arthur. This is a long-term project, involving various detours and many interruptions. Before I left for Scotland I hinted that we may begin (or rather, continue) our study of King Arthur with a glance off … Continue reading King Arthur at Stirling Castle
Category: Story
Tolkien & The Wanderer
Back in November I shared the “Lament for the Rohirrim,” by J.R.R. Tolkien on Remembrance Day. Tolkien was a gifted poet, but because much of his poetry as we know it is contained in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, it tends to be overshadowed by his substantial prose. However, a decade spent … Continue reading Tolkien & The Wanderer
Eärendil the Sky-Mariner
The Wordstapas are currently reading The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien. In the latest meeting we spoke briefly of Eärendil the Mariner, and his origin in the Old English poem Christ. As we had little time left in the meeting to discuss this at length, and lack of resources at hand, I have taken the opportunity … Continue reading Eärendil the Sky-Mariner
Some Parallels Pertaining to Ravens (and Other Beasts of Battle)
Ravens appear in several places across western mythology. They are present in folklore, such as the tale of The Seven Ravens, and in Greek myth, where they are associated with Apollo. Ravens are prominent symbols in Norse and Germanic mythology and in Anglo-Saxon poetry, and J.R.R. Tolkien uses them for similar purposes in The Hobbit. … Continue reading Some Parallels Pertaining to Ravens (and Other Beasts of Battle)
Rediscovering Reality
In his review of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis contemplates how stories assist in the rediscovery of reality. He says, The value of myth is that it takes all the things we know and restores them to the rich significance which has been hidden by “the veil of familiarity.” The child … Continue reading Rediscovering Reality
Similarities Between the Dissimilar, or What Happens When You Read Homer and Tolkien at the Same Time
Although J.R.R. Tolkien avoided taking inspiration from classical Greek mythology, there is one aspect of his writing which I cannot help but see as being influenced by Homer. Never yet in all my reading of mythology have I encountered an epic as vast and complete as the Iliad and the Odyssey. Many mythologies, though extensive … Continue reading Similarities Between the Dissimilar, or What Happens When You Read Homer and Tolkien at the Same Time
Reflections on The Lantern Bearers, by Rosemary Sutcliff
My stack of books has finally dwindled down to a sane degree. During the fall and spring semesters I usually have a mound of reading material on my bookshelf: required books for any classes I am taking, philosophical literature I am reading for information, the one novel I am reading for pleasure, as well as … Continue reading Reflections on The Lantern Bearers, by Rosemary Sutcliff
Is Anodos Naïve or Immature?
This past spring I audited a Socratic dialogue class on the literature that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s imagination. Among the many works explored and discussed, we spent two weeks reading Phantastes, by George MacDonald. The students in the class were discussing the character of Anodos and his seeming inability to make reliable decisions and follow the … Continue reading Is Anodos Naïve or Immature?
The Unexpected Value of Rereading the Iliad
My first reading experience with Homer’s Iliad was the equivalent of hauling a boulder along a gravel track by a piece of string. I was unused to the weight of classical literature and my mind was exhausted by the long-winded descriptions and detail, excessive slaughter, and exasperating characters. I found great comfort in the thought … Continue reading The Unexpected Value of Rereading the Iliad
More on the Influence of Freedom on Character in The Horse and His Boy
I wrote last week about the influence freedom has on the Narnians’ actions toward their fellow men (and animals). However, what I did not have time to write about was how this freedom influences their attitudes as well. If one reads enough C.S. Lewis, it becomes clear that the Narnians are Lewis’s interpretation of a … Continue reading More on the Influence of Freedom on Character in The Horse and His Boy
Remembered Lore 